Decorative article and vehicular lamp

ABSTRACT

A decorative article ( 10 ) capable of being used in combination with an article having a light source ( 21 ) and of remarkably improving the decorative effect together with the light source. The decorative article ( 10 ) is attached to an article having a light source ( 21 ), and comprises, at least, an appearance-providing layer ( 15 ) defining an appearance of the decorative article, and a light-storage layer ( 16 ) which is disposed under the appearance-providing layer ( 15 ) and is able to store the light from the light source ( 21 ) and generate afterglow.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a decorative article, and in particularto a decorative article capable of providing an excellent decorativeeffect in the daytime and an appearance design effect attracting aperson's attention in the nighttime when it is attached to a vehicularlamp or other lamp. The present invention also relates to a vehicularlamp having such a novel decorative article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As well known, a vehicular lamp usually comprises a housing having alight-emitting opening provided at the front of it, a lamp cover shapedlike a plate or a lens which covers the light-emitting opening, and alight source disposed in a lamp room defined by the housing and the lampcover. The inner wall of the housing is provided with a reflecting layerintegrated with it, or else it is provided with an independentreflector. In such a vehicular lamp, when the light source is lit, thedirect light from the light source, and the light reflected by the innerwall of the housing are emitted out of the lamp through the lamp cover,thus performing a desired lighting function.

In recent years, such a vehicular lamp has been required to have notonly a lighting function in the lighting state, but also an improvedappearance in the non-lighting state in the daytime. Decorative articlesoften adopted for improving an appearance of a vehicular lamp include alamp garnish and finisher. These decorative articles are attached to thelamp cover (also called outer cover or the like) of a headlamp, a rearcombination lamp, or the like so as to be out of the path of the lightfrom the light source. These decorative articles have the same color asthe color of a vehicle's body in many cases, which improves anappearance of a vehicular lamp by the sense of matching the vehicle.Further, these decorative articles can be manufactured in various kindsof thickness by an injection molding, vacuum forming, extrusion molding,or the like of resin, or coating of paint or the like, or the like, andare allowed to have an appearance design effect by using resin-coloring,painting, printing, plating, or the like. Such decorative articles are,in most cases, compressed and attached to a subject through apressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided at the back of it.

However, the decorative articles as described above are used forimproving an appearance of a vehicular lamp in a light environment inthe daytime, and an improvement of an appearance like that in thedaytime thus can not be expected in a light condition in the nighttime.Furthermore, conventional decorative articles are mainly used forconcealing the external portion of a lamp in order to solve the problemthat a marginal rib portion or black adhesive portion of the lamp isseen through the cover, but can not enhance the decorative effecttogether with the lamp itself.

For reference, in Japanese Utility Model Registration No.3035801, it isdisclosed that a light-transmittive/storage/emitting transfer seal isadhered to the inner surface of a headlamp of a vehicle to indicate theexistence of the vehicle in a dark parking lot. Furthermore, in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No.11-11368, it is disclosedregarding a headlamp of a vehicle that a light-emitting element made ofa light-storing material is disposed near the internal reflector of theheadlamp and emits light while the vehicle is stopping to allow driversand pedestrians around the vehicle to recognize the existence of thevehicle. However, these lamps are designed to improve only a visibilityby utilizing emission after being turned off, but do not have anydecorative effect when it is lit in the daytime, and are not designed toimprove the appearance in the nighttime. Furthermore, in case of theformer idea about a headlamp of a vehicle, transparency of portions atwhich the seal is adhered is slightly poor, thus causing the degradationof the appearance if anything while the lamp is not lit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to solve one or moreproblems in the art. For example, it can be an object of the presentinvention to provide a decorative article capable of being used incombination with an article having a light source and remarkablyenhancing the decoration effect together with the light source.

It can be another object of the present invention to provide adecorative article capable of providing an excellent decorative effectin the daytime and an appearance design effect attracting a person'sattention in the nighttime when it is attached to a vehicular lamp orother lamp.

It can be a further object of the present invention to provide avehicular lamp which is able to provide an excellent decorative effectin the daytime and an appearance design effect attracting a person'sattention in the nighttime and does not violate current laws.

In one aspect of the present invention, a decorative article is providedthat is intended to be attached to an article having a light source. Thedecorative article comprises at least an appearance-providing layerdefining an appearance of the decorative article, and a light-storagelayer which is disposed under the appearance-providing layer and is ableto store the light from the light source and generate afterglow.

In another aspect of the present invention, a vehicular lamp is providedthat comprises a light source, a housing accommodating the light sourceand defining a lamp room, a light-emitting opening provided at the frontof the housing, and a light-transmittive lamp cover attached to thelight-emitting opening, wherein a non-light-emitting area of the lampcover, which does not substantially concern the emission of the lightfrom the light source, is provided with a decorative article comprising,at least, an appearance-providing layer defining an appearance of thedecorative article, and a light-storage layer which is disposed underthe appearance-providing layer and is able to store the light from thelight source and generate afterglow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example of avehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting the non-light-emitting area of avehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an typical embodiment of adecorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another typical embodiment of adecorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred example use of adecorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing anther preferred example use ofa decorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing anther preferred example use ofa decorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing another preferred example useof a decorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a further preferred example useof a decorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a further preferred exampleuse of a decorative article according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a further preferred exampleuse of a decorative article according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A vehicular lamp according to the present invention can be used invarious fields as an illumination means, indicating means, signalingmeans, or the like, and thereby the basic form of the vehicular lamp isnot limited provided that it satisfies the requirement of comprising alight source, a housing capable of reflecting the light from the lightsource at the inner wall thereof, a light-emitting opening, and a lampcover covering the light-emitting opening. An example of such vehicularlamp is but not limited to a head lamp, fog lamp, clearance lamp, stoplamp, tail lamp, turn signal lamp, backup lamp, or the like.Furthermore, such vehicular lamp may be a combination of a plurality oflamps, which may be used as, for example, a rear combination lamp at therear of a vehicle, or a front combination lamp at the front of avehicle. Such vehicular lamp is in particular advantageously used as aheadlamp for the implementation of the present invention.

Vehicles provided with a vehicular lamp according to the presentinvention include but not limited to a passenger car, recreationalvehicle, bus, truck, etc. In particular, because of improving anappearance design, the vehicular lamp is suitable for a passenger car.

FIG. 1 shows a typical constitution of a vehicular lamp according to thepresent invention. The lamp 20 comprises a housing 22, and a lamp room25 defined by a lamp cover 23 covering the light-emitting opening(emitting zone) at the front of the housing 22. The lamp room 25 mayconsists of two or more rooms as necessary. Each of the rooms may beindependent of one another, or communicate with one another. The lamproom is usually provided with a light source 21 with adequate intensityinserted into a socket (not shown). One light source 21 is provided inthe example shown in the figure, but two or more light sources 21 may beprovided in one lamp room 25 if necessary.

The inner wall 22 a of the housing 22 has a reflective-film structurelike a concave mirror from which the light from the light source 21 isreflected in one direction. Such reflective-film structure may beformed, for example, with a playing-tone thin film made by aluminumevaporation. Alternatively, instead of the inner wall, a lightreflecting means (which is usually a reflector) such as a concave mirroror the like may be provided in the lamp room 25. The light source 21 mayhave a cap colored with predetermined color as necessary. Because, whena colored cap is used, a colorless cover can be used instead of acolored cover. The light L1 from the light source 21 is, as shown in thefigure, reflected by the inner wall 22 a, and then emitted out of thelamp cover 23.

The lamp cover 23 is provided with, particularly for the improvement ofan appearance design or the like which is the recent trend, anon-light-transmitting area, i.e., non-light-emitting area which doesnot substantially concern the emission of the light from the lightsource 21. Furthermore, this non-light-emitting area is provided with adecorative article 10 having a light-storage layer in accordance withthe present invention. In the example shown in the figure, thedecorative article 10 is mounted on the outside of the lamp cover 23,but, in the present invention, may be mounted on the inside of it asdescribed below.

In a vehicular lamp according to the present invention, a light-emittingopening (light-emitting area and non-light-emitting area adjacent it) ofthe lamp room is covered with a lamp cover. The shape of such lamp coveris not limited provided that the lamp cover has a shape and sizesuitable for covering the light-emitting surface of the lamp room atleast, but is typically circle, rectangle, or square, and in some casesmay be an odd shape such as ellipse or L-shape.

The lamp cover may be colorless, or may be colored as necessary, thatis, according to the hue of the light emitted from it. In case that thelamp room consists of a combination of two or more rooms, lamp coversmay be colored with different colors every room.

A colorless or colored lamp cover can be formed advantageously fromoptional light-transmittive resin by a forming method. Appropriateforming methods include an ordinary method such as an injection moldingmethod, or vacuum forming method. Furthermore, raw resins used to formthe lamp cover include but not limited to styrene resin, rigid vinylchloride resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, etc. In particular,acrylic resin can be used advantageously, because it has an excellentstrength and transparency and can be colored advantageously. Ifnecessary, the lamp cover may be formed from a glass plate or othertransparent material.

When a colored lamp cover is manufactured, adequate amount of coloringmaterial can be mixed into raw resin as described above. Appropriatecoloring materials include but not limited to pigment such as perylenepigment, azo pigment, or iron oxide, and dye such as chinophutaron dye,azo dye, zisuazo dye, anthraquinone dye, benzopyrene dye (each fromcolor index).

When the lamp cover is manufactured, additives regularly used in thefield of plastic molding may be mixed into resin raw in addition tocoloring material. Appropriate additives include, for example,ultraviolet absorber, light stabilizer, heat stabilizer, etc. Forexample, adequate ultraviolet absorbers include but not limited tobenzotoriazole, benzophenone, zifeniruacrylate, amine ultravioletabsorbers, etc.

The lamp cover is usually shaped like a flat plate and has a evensurface, but may have a convexo-concave pattern formed on the innersurface (light source's-side surface) of it. Furthermore, a lamp coverhaving a three-dimensional curved surface or the like may be used forthe improvement of an appearance design.

The outer surface (surface facing outward) of a lamp cover usually hasnothing, but, if necessary, may be covered with a transparent thinplastic film for protection. Because the lamp cover can be preventedfrom being broken when small gravel hits it. Adequate plastic filmsinclude, for example, a polyester resin film, polyethylene resin film,polycarbonate resin film, vinyl chloride resin film, acrylic resin film,polyurethane resin film, polyolefin resin film, vinylidene fluorideresin film, etc.

A lamp cover according to the present invention is provided with adecorative article according to the present invention on anon-light-emitting area thereof, i.e., a non-light-transmittive areafrom which the light emitted from a light source disposed in a lamp roomdoes not transmit, or which does not need to allow such light totransmit it.

Although a non-light-emitting area of the lamp cover may be provided invarious areas, it is usually provided in the area around thelight-emitting opening of the lamp room. That is, the non-light-emittingarea is the marginal area of a headlamp, turn signal lamp, backup light,or the like. These non-light-emitting areas may take an optional shapein accordance with the area around the light-emitting opening.

Furthermore, a non-light-emitting area of a lamp cover can be defined asan area other than a lighting portion, indicating portion, andreflecting portion based on the inspection performing procedure (see 3-2in 4-21) in Article 32 of Safety Standard for transportation vehicles.That is, in the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 2, the portion C otherthan the lens portion A whose intensity is 98% of the center intensityand the lens portion B where direct light comes into is anon-light-emitting area defined in the present invention.

Since a decorative article according to the present invention isdisposed restrictedly in a non-light-emitting area as described abovewhich does not affect the traveling of the light from the light source,an excellent decorative effect in the daytime and an beautifulappearance caused by an after-image effect in the nighttime can beaccomplished at the same time while meeting the requirement of thevehicle operation rule, or the like. Because an excellent design naturein the daytime can be secured by the appearance-providing layercontained in the decorative article, and the light energy stored in thelight-storage layer when the lamp is lit in the daytime generatesafterglow L2 by which the inside of the lamp room 25 is illuminated inthe nighttime, thus providing a beautiful appearance of the lamp (seeFIG. 1).

A decorative article according to the present invention can provide anovel and beautiful appearance which has not been experienced yet,thereby being used widely. The decorative article is typically used forbut not limited to a sticker, emblem, lamp garnish, finisher, etc. Thesedecorative articles more than prove their worth particularly whenattached to a lamp of a vehicle. Of course, they may be used for adisplay, etc. as required.

A decorative article according to the present invention can be offeredin many forms according to the variety of uses of it. The decorativearticle is offered typically in the form of a sheet or film, preferablya multilayered sheet or film, but may also be offered in the form of acoating made by painting, a panel in combination with a resin sheet orthe like, a resin-formed object, or the like, through the selection ofelements constituting the decorative article.

In any form, a decorative article according to the present inventioncomprises at least

(1) a appearance-providing layer defining an appearance of thedecorative article, and

(2) a light-storage layer which is disposed nearer a light source thanthe appearance-providing layer, and can store the light from the lightsource to generate afterglow.

The word “layer” means, when used in the present invention, not only arelatively thin layer or thin film as generally understood, but also, asbecome apparent in the following detail description, a thick layer,thick coating, film, sheet, formed object having a predeterminedthickness, or the like.

In general, an appearance-providing layer which is a first elementconstituting the decorative article defines the appearance of thedecorative article, and for this purpose it may be formed by variousmethods using various materials according to desired decoration effects.Appropriate appearance-providing layers include but not limited to aprinted layer such as ink, a coated layer such as paint, a colored resinlayer, a metal-plated layer, a metal-evaporated layer, a metal foillayer, other colored layers, etc., and may be used alone, or incombination of two or more layers. Further, the appearance-providinglayer may be a colored member having some thickness and/or form.

A light-storage layer used in combination with an appearance-providinglayer must be able to store the light from a light source and generateafterglow. The light-storage layer itself may thus include of a layermade of a material having light storage ability (light storagematerial), or a layer containing a light storage material. Consideringmanufacturing efficiency, cost, etc., it is advantageous to form alight-storage layer from a material containing a light storage material.Although a light-storage layer is usually provided through the wholearea of a decorative article together with an appearance-providinglayer, it may be provided restrictedly for part of the area of thedecorative article if a desired light storing effect is obtained. Thelight-storage layer may be used alone, or in combination of two or morelayers, and may be a colored member having some thickness and/or form.

A decorative article according to the present invention may optionallyhave additional layers added to an appearance-providing layer and alight-storage layer. The decorative article may have, for example,additional layers such as a junction layer, supporting layer, baselayer, adhesive layer, and clear layer. For example, the decorativearticle is preferably adhered to the lamp cover usually through anadhesive layer consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive orheat-sensitive adhesive. And, a pressure sensitive adhesivedouble-coated tape or the like may be used instead of such adhesivelayer if necessary. Furthermore, when the decorative article is adheredto the outer surface of the lamp cover, a clear layer is preferablyfurther provided as the outermost layer of the decorative article.

A decorative article according to the present invention may be adheredto the outer surface of the lamp cover or the inner surface of the lampcover. A basic constitution of a decorative article according to thepresent invention is described below in connection with the above twocases. In FIGS. 3 and 4 referred in the following description, adecorative article in the form of multilayered film is shown. However,as already described, the decorative article may be a member having somethickness and shape, or may not be a continuous layer. Furthermore, adecorative article may be installed optionally by a method other than amethod using an adhesive shown in the figure.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a decorative articleaccording to the present invention adhered to the outer surface of alamp cover. The decorative article 10 comprises, in the order seen fromthe lamp cover 23, an adhesive layer 14, a first intermediate layer 11,a light-storage layer 16, a second intermediate layer 12, aappearance-providing layer 15, a third intermediate layer 13, and aclear layer (surface layer) 17. The light-storage layer 16 may alsoserve as the first intermediate layer 11. The first, second, and thirdintermediate layers 11, 12, and 13 are optional, and can act as ajunction layer, supporting layer, and base layer respectively. Theseintermediate layers may be a single layer or a multiplayer consisting oftwo or more layers. Furthermore, the first and third intermediate layers11 and 13 are colorless and transparent in principle, and at least mustnot affect a design effect originated from the appearance-providinglayer 15 and the transmission of afterglow from the light-storage layer16. And, the adhesive layer 14 must pass afterglow from thelight-storage layer 16. Optional layers disposed under theappearance-providing layer 15 (light source side) may have a lightstorage function if necessary. Otherwise, the light-storage layer 16 maybe omitted and the adhesive layer 14 may have a light storage function.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a decorative articleaccording to the present invention adhered to the inner surface of alamp cover. The decorative article 10 comprises, in the order seen fromthe lamp cover 23, an adhesive layer 14, a first intermediate layer 11,a appearance-providing layer 15, a second intermediate layer 12, alight-storage layer 16, and a third intermediate layer 13. The first,second, and third intermediate layers 11, 12, and 13 are optional, andcan act as a junction layer, supporting layer, and base layerrespectively. These intermediate layers may be a single layer or amultiplayer consisting of two or more layers. Furthermore, the first andthird intermediate layers 11 and 13 are colorless and transparent inprinciple, and at least must not affect a design effect originated fromthe appearance-providing layer 15 and the transmission of afterglow fromthe light-storage layer 16. And, the adhesive layer 14 must not impairthe design effect of the appearance-providing layer 15. Optional layersdisposed under the appearance-providing layer 15 (light source side) mayhave a light storage function if necessary.

More specifically, the appearance-providing layer is, as describedabove, preferably a printed layer, a coated layer, a colored resinlayer, a metal-plated layer, a metal-evaporated layer, a metal foillayer, or a other colored layer or colored member.

For example, the colored layer may be formed by using various ordinarythin-film forming methods. That is, the colored layer may be formed byprinting, finishing (including electrostatic finishing), or the like ofink or paint having predetermined color tone, or by coating,resin-extruding, or adhering of a film or sheet having a predeterminedcolor tone. The ink and paint may contain bright material such as pearlpowder or metal powder, or other additive. The colored layer formingmaterial used in this method preferably has excellent weather resistanceor the like required for the lamp cover in addition to coloring nature.

Furthermore, the colored layer may be formed, in an embodiment of it, inthe form of a colored film by using a plastic material such as apolyester film, polyethylene film, polycarbonate film, vinyl chloridefilm, acrylic film, polyurethane film, polyolefin film, or vinylidenefluoride film. The plastic material may be resin alone, or a mixture ofresins or polymer. The colored film can be manufactured into a desiredthickness in a manner that an adequate coloring material such as pigmentor bright material is mixed to raw resin and then an ordinary formingmethod such as a calender forming method is used.

Alternatively, the colored layer may be formed so as to have anappearance design effect by giving printing, coating, metallic thinfilm, or the like to a plastic material manufactured without mixing acolored material to it. An example of such colored layer is a finisher.A finisher is manufactured in a manner that a body is formed from aresin such as a polyphenylene ether (PPE) by injection molding, or thelike and then the body is colored in the same color as a vehicle body bycoating or plating to be added an metallic appearance. A finisher is acombination of an appearance-providing layer and a second intermediatelayer, so to speak.

The colored layer may be formed in the form of a metallic coating bymetal plating, metal evaporating, or the like. The metal coating may beformed, for example, by the evaporation, spattering, or the like of ametallic material such as aluminum, chrome, or tin, or else by coatingof a resin or the like in which metallic powder such as aluminum powderis distributed, printing or coating (including electrostatic coating) ofpearl mica paint, or the like. Furthermore, the metallic coating may beformed by coating, resin-extruding, or adhering a film or sheet having adesired appearance. A material for forming a coating used herepreferably provides a desired appearance and has excellent weatherresistance required for a lamp cover.

The appearance-providing layer may additionally have patterns, pictures,letters, etc. as required. Because the appearance design effect of thedecorative article is more improved.

The thickness of the appearance-providing layer may be widely changedaccording to a desired appearance design effect or the like, but isusually in the approx.5 to 500 μm range, more preferably, in theapprox.20 to 100 μm range. However, when the appearance-providing layerhas some thickness and/or shape, a thickness beyond the above range maybe adopted as a matter of course.

The light-storage layer is preferably formed from a layer or membercontaining light-storing material. The light-storing material ispreferably light-storing pigment, and generally a sulfide pigment,aluminate pigment, or the like. The light-storage layer is preferablyformed from aluminate pigment in combination with an activator such asan europium in order to enhance brightness and afterglow performance. Anexample of such light-storing pigment is but not limited to an aluminatestrontium fluorescent material activated by europium cisprocium, analuminate calcium fluorescent material activated by europium neodymiumyttrium, an alminate barium fluorescent material activated by europiumneodymium, or the like. These light-storing pigments can usually providea steady afterglow for a long time of 10 to 15 hours. Further, theselight-storing pigments may be used alone or in combination of two ormore.

Adequate amount of the light-storing material is usually mixed intoresin material to be used advantageously. Resin material suitable forforming a light-storage layer is, for example, resin material as usedfor forming an appearance-providing layer. The amount of thelight-storing material to be mixed with such resin material issubstantially up to a half of the total amount of the light-storagelayer, but not limited to this amount. Usually, approx.10 to 50 weight %of the light-storing material is preferable.

The thickness of the light-storage layer may be widely changed accordingto a desired appearance design effect or the like, but is usually in theapprox.5 to 500 μm range, more preferably, in the approx.20 to 100 μmrange. However, when the appearance-providing layer has some thicknessand/or shape, a thickness beyond the above range may be adopted as amatter of course.

A decorative article according to the present invention is preferableprovided with an intermediate layer adjacent to an appearance-providinglayer or light-storage layer in order to increase the bending strengthof it and so on. The intermediate layer can act as, for example, ajunction layer, supporting layer, base layer, or concealing layer.Appropriate intermediate layers include, for example, a junction layermade of polyurethane resin, etc., or a base layer made of polyesterresin, polyphenylene ether resin, etc. These intermediate layers may bea single layer or a multiplayer consisting of two or more layers.

The decorative article further comprises an adhesive layer in general inorder to be adhered to the lamp cover. The adhesive layer used here maybe formed by using adhesive used regularly in the fields of adhesivetape, etc., for example, adhesive of pressure sensitive type, heatsensitive type, photo-curing type, or the like. Adequate adhesive is,for example, heat-sensitive adhesive such as acrylic adhesive, rubberadhesive, polyurethane adhesive, or polyester adhesive, and inparticular acrylic adhesive can be used advantageously when a weatherresistance, etc are considered. In case of pressure-sensitive adhesive,the decorative article is compressed and adhered to the lamp cover, andin case of heat-sensitive adhesive, the decorative cover is adhered tothe lamp cover while heating the decorative cover, or to the pre-heatedlamp cover, or is compressed and then adhered to the lamp cover whileheating the decorative cover together with the lamp cover. Furthermore,instead of that the decorative article is provided with an adhesivelayer, the lamp cover may be provided with an adhesive layer in advance.Furthermore, a pressure sensitive adhesive double-coated tape or thelike may be used instead of an adhesive layer.

The adhesive layer is usually transparent. But, if the decorativearticle is adhered to the outer surface of the lamp cover, it is notnecessary no longer that the decorative cover is transparent providedthat the adhesive layer itself has a light-storing function.Furthermore, also when the adhesive layer is partially used, it is notalways necessary that the adhesive layer is transparent provided that itdoes not affect the afterglow of the light-storage layer. In short, thelight-storage layer may be disposed at any position nearer the lightsource than the appearance-providing layer, if the layers from the layernearest to the light source to the light-storage layer are evenpartially light-transmittive when they are seen from the adhesive layer.

The thickness of the adhesive layer may be widely changed, but isusually in the approx.10 to 500 μm range, more preferably, in theapprox.20 to 100 μm range. When the thickness of the adhesive layer isless than 10 μm, a satisfactory adhesive force can not be obtained. Onthe contrary, when the thickness of the adhesive layer is larger than500 μm, the total thickness of the decorative article becomes verylarge. Actually, when the adhesive layer is adhered to the outer surfaceof the lamp cover, the adhesive layer is in the state of jutting fromthe lamp cover, thus giving a sense of incongruity. Further, thethickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive double-coated tape isusually approx. 1 mm.

A decorative article according to the present invention preferablyfurther comprises a clear layer as the outermost layer thereof when thedecorative article is adhered to the outer face of the lamp cover. Theclear layer preferably has a weather resistance and a heat resistance inaddition to transparency which is basically an essential nature, fromthe view point of acting as a protection film. Further, the clear layerpreferably has good adherence to the underlayer of it.

Appropriate resins to form the clear layer include but not limited topolyester resin, polyethylene resin, polycarbonate resin, vinyl chlorideresin, acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, polyolefin resin, fluorineresin (PVdF, ETFE, etc.), etc. These resins may be used, as required, inthe form of a mixture or copolymer. Furthermore, the clear layer cangive a shine to the lamp cover to improve the appearance of the lampcover.

It is preferred that ultraviolet absorber is mixed into the clear layerin order to increase the weather resistance of it. Appropriateultraviolet absorbers include but not limited to benzotriazoleultraviolet absorber, benzophenon ultraviolet absorber, cyanoacrylateultraviolet absorber, etc.

Furthermore, the thickness of the clear layer may be changed widelyaccording to a desired effect or the like, but is usually in theapprox.10 to 500 μm range, more preferably, in the approx.20 to 100 μmrange. When the thickness of the clear layer is less than 10 μm, it cannot act as a protection film. On the contrary, when the thickness of theclear layer is larger than 500 μm, the total thickness of the decorativefilm becomes too large.

As described above, a vehicular lamp according to the present inventionhas a feature that its lamp cover is provided with a light-storingdecorative article having a appearance-providing layer according to thepresent invention at a portion other than the path of the light from thelight source. In a vehicular lamp having such structure, an excellentappearance design effect originated from the appearance-providing layerca be obtained while the vehicle is running or stopping. Furthermore,when the light source is lit, the light from the light source is emittedout of the lamp without being affected by the decorative article, andthereby fundamental functions of the lamp do not affect. In addition,when the light source is lit, the light refracted and scatteredcomplicatedly in the lamp room can fit the decorative article. Suchlight which has hit the decorative article is emitted again in the lamproom as afterglow by the light-storing function of the light-storagelayer. As a result, in the nighttime, the lamp room is illuminatedbrightly with afterglow continuously emitted by the light-storage layerwhile the light source is not lit, and thereby a beautiful appearanceattracting a person's attention is obtained. Since the afterglow in thiscase is surface-emitted light, an even appearance different from anappearance obtained by the light from the light source is obtained.Furthermore, this lighting effect may be changed variously by changingthe kind of the light-storing pigment or by previously coloring a layerthrough which the light passes. In order to enhance this effect providedby afterglow, the inner wall of the housing is preferably colored in aplating-tone by aluminum evaporation or the like. A reflecting film suchas an aluminum-evaporated surface reflects afterglow, and thereby aglittering colored appearance would be obtained.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is described below with reference to its examples.

FIGS. 5 to 11 each shows an example use of a decorative articleaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a decorative article according to the present invention,which is a lamp finisher. The finisher 19 comprises a finisher body (asecond intermediate layer in the present invention) 12 consisting of aresin-formed member, and a metallic coating (appearance-providing layer)15 covering the surface of finisher body 12, the color of which is thesame as the color of a vehicle's body. The finisher 19 is adhered to theoutside of the lamp cover 23, i.e., a non-light-emitting area, with apressure sensitive adhesive double-coated tape 14. Sections of the backarea of the finisher 19, where the pressure sensitive adhesivedouble-coated tape 14 is not adhered, are provided with a light-storagelayer 16. The light-storage layer 16 is, for example, a film, panel,formed member, coating by printing or painting, or the like.

FIG. 6 shows a variation of the decorative article shown in FIG. 5. Thefinisher 19 of this decorative article also comprises a finisher body (asecond intermediate layer) 12 consisting of a resin-formed member, and ametallic coating (appearance-providing layer) 15 covering the surface offinisher body 12, the color of which is the same as the color of avehicle's body. The finisher 19 is adhered to the outside of the lampcover 23, i.e., a non-light-emitting area, with a pressure sensitiveadhesive double-coated tape 14. In this decorative article, instead ofthe back of the finisher, sections of the surface of the lamp cover 23,where the pressure sensitive adhesive double-coated tape 14 is notadhered, are provided with a light-storage layer 16. The light-storagelayer 16 is, for example, a film, panel, formed member, coating byprinting or painting, or the like.

FIG. 7 shows a variation of the decorative article shown in FIGS. 5 and6. This finisher 19 also comprises a finisher body (a secondintermediate layer) 12 consisting of a resin-formed member, and ametallic coating (appearance-providing layer) 15 covering the surface offinisher body 12, the color of which is the same as the color of avehicle's body. But, this decorative article has a light-storage layer16 on the whole of the back of the finisher 19. The light-storage layer16 is, for example, a film, coating by printing or painting, or thelike. Furthermore, the finisher 19 is adhered to the outside of the lampcover 23, i.e., a non-light-emitting area, with a pressure sensitiveadhesive double-coated tape 14.

FIG. 8 shows a variation of the decorative article shown in FIG. 7. Thisfinisher 19 also comprises a finisher body (a second intermediate layer)12 consisting of a resin-formed member, and a metallic coating(appearance-providing layer) 15 covering the surface of finisher body12, the color of which is the same as the color of a vehicle's body.But, this decorative article has a light-storage layer 16 on the surfaceof the light-storage layer 16, instead of on the whole of the back ofthe finisher 19. The light-storage layer 16 is, for example, a film,coating by printing or painting, or the like. That is, this decorativearticle is so designed that the light-storage layer 16 is provided onthe outside of the lamp cover 23, i.e., a non-light-emitting area, andthen the finisher 19 is adhered to the light-storage layer 16 with apressure sensitive adhesive double-coated tape 14.

The finisher 19 shown in FIG. 9 itself has a light storing function incontrast to the finishers shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. That is, the finisher19 comprises a finisher body (a second intermediate layer) 12 consistingof a resin-formed member in which light-storing pigment is distributed,and a metallic coating (appearance-providing layer) 15 covering thesurface of finisher body 12, the color of which is the same as the colorof a vehicle's body. The finisher 19 is adhered to the outside of thelamp cover 23, i.e., a non-light-emitting area, with a pressuresensitive adhesive double-coated tape 14.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of a decorative article according to thepresent invention, which are shaped like a film having a simplestructure. The decorative article shaped like a film in FIG. 10 isadhered to the outer surface of a lamp cover 23 through an adhesivelayer 14, and comprises a light-storage layer 16 and anappearance-providing layer 15 laid on it. Each of the light-storagelayer 16 and the appearance-providing layer 15 is a film, or coating byprinting or painting, or the like. There may be a clear layer on theappearance-providing layer 15.

The film-shaped decorative article of FIG. 11 is adhered to the innersurface of a lamp cover 23 through an adhesive layer 14, and comprisesan appearance-providing layer 15 and a light-storage layer 16 disposednearer to a light source (not shown) than it. The light-storage layer 16and the appearance-providing layer 15 are a film, or coating by printingor painting, or the like. There may be a clear layer on theappearance-providing layer 15. Each of the appearance-providing layer 15and the light-storage layer 16 is a film, or coating by printing orpainting, or the like.

The decorative articles shown in FIGS. 5 to 11 are typical examples, andmay be changed to various forms within the scope of the presentinvention as previously described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

Production and Evaluation of Decorative Article

A film-shaped decorative article having a layer constitution asdescribed in Table 1 was made.

This decorative article is designed to be adhered to the outside of alamp cover.

TABLE 1 Polyurethane, 15 μm Colorless and Clear Layer thicknessTransparent Appearance-providing Polyurethane, 5 μm Silver(corresponding to Layer thickness vehicle body's color) Concealing Layerpolyurethane, 10 μm White thickness Light-storage Polyurethane, 60 μmLight Yellow Green layer thickness Base Layer Soft PVC Film, 50 μmColorless and thickness Transparent Adhesive Layer Acrylic Adhesive,Colorless and 30 μm thickness Transparent

Each of the all layers was made by using a coating or film which istried and true outdoors in the field of the vehicular exterior features.In the light-storage layer, light-storing pigment which is an aluminatestrontium fluorescent material activated by europium cisprocium,(“LumiNova” of Nemoto & Co. Ltd, Japan), was composed at the rate of 50weight %.

Obtained decorative article shaped like a film was cut to pieces ofapprox. 3 cm width×approx. 25 cm long, and then compressed and adheredto a headlamp (approx. 25 cm×approx. 20 cm height) of a commercialpassenger car, which has a lamp cover (approx. 2 mm thickness) whosesurface and back are even and transparent and whose lamp room is seen asfar as its inside. The decorative article piece was adhered to the upperend of the non-light-emitting area (other than the light path) of theouter surface of the lamp cover.

The appearance of the lamp was observed in the daytime (when it was notlit) and in the nighttime (when it was lit or not lit), and thefollowing observation result was obtained.

Daytime/Lamp not Lit:

The decorative article at the upper end of the lamp and the vehicle'sbody were seen with continuity. Furthermore, the headlamp appearedhorizontally long, and as in the case that a headlamp garnish generallycalled eye line was provided, remarkable improvement of the appearancewas achieved.

Nighttime/Lamp Lit:

The function of the headlamp of lighting up front objects was notaffected at all.

Nighttime/Lamp Lit:

When the lamp was turned off after it had been lit, the inside of thelamp room was illuminated almost evenly with yellow green. Theillumination with yellow green continued with stability for approx. 15minutes.

As described above, the present invention provides a decorative articlecapable of being used in combination with an article having a lightsource and of remarkably improving the decorative effect together withthe light source.

Further, the present invention provides a decorative article capable ofproviding an excellent decorative effect in the daytime and anappearance design effect attracting a person's attention in thenighttime when it is attached to a vehicular lamp or other lamp.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a decorative article whichis able to provide an excellent decorative effect in the daytime and anappearance design effect attracting a person's attention in thenighttime and does not violate current laws.

1. A vehicular lamp comprising: a light source of visible light, ahousing accommodating said light source and defining a lamp room, alight-emitting opening provided at the front of said housing, and alight-transmittive lamp cover attached to the light-emitting opening;wherein said lamp cover comprises a first area that substantially allowsthe emission of visible light from said light source and a second areathat does not allow the emission of visible light directly from saidlight source; and wherein only the second area of said lamp cover isprovided with a decorative article comprising, at least, anappearance-providing layer defining an appearance of the decorativearticle, and a light-storage layer which is disposed under theappearance-providing layer and is able to store visible light from saidlight source and generate afterglow into said lamp room.
 2. Thevehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein said appearance-providinglayer of said decorative article is a printed layer, a coated layer, acolored resin layer, a metal-plated layer, a metal-evaporated layer, ametal foil layer, or a colored layer or colored member.
 3. The vehicularlamp according to claim 2, wherein said light-storage layer of saiddecorative article is a layer or member containing visible light-storingpigment.
 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein saiddecorative article is a multilayered film comprising at least saidappearance-providing layer and said light-storage layer.
 5. Thevehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein said light-storage layer ofsaid decorative article is a layer or member containing visiblelight-storing pigment.
 6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5,wherein said decorative article is a multilayered film comprising atleast said appearance-providing layer and said light-storage layer. 7.The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein said decorative articleis a multilayered film comprising at least said appearance-providinglayer and said light-storage layer.
 8. The vehicular lamp according toclaim 1, wherein said decorative article further comprises an adhesivelayer consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a heat-sensitiveadhesive.
 9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein saiddecorative article further comprises a clear layer as an outermost layerwhen said decorative article is attached to the outer surface of saidlamp cover.
 10. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein saiddecorative article is a lamp garnish or a finisher.
 11. The vehicularlamp according to claim 1, wherein said lamp cover includes an areahaving a lighting function and an area having a decorative function. 12.The lamp according to claim 11, wherein the area having a lightingfunction is the first area of said lamp cover and wherein the areahaving a decorative function is the second area of said lamp cover.